How Hackers take advantage of unsecure Wi-Fi networks

I was on the internet checking my email, when I see an article title that catches my eye right before I'm about to open up my inbox. I started reading the article and I started to become alarmed. The article was about hackers gaining access to people's computers through their unsecured Wi-Fi networks. I already knew about the possibility of someone getting access to my computer, but to actually have the suspicion or idea confirmed was kind of scary. Wireless internet is an awesome thing to have in the house. If you have a laptop and you don’t feel like sitting at a desk where you have your modem hooked up, you can go down stairs or wherever and still surf the web.

Although Wi-Fi has a lot great things about it, if it's not secure it can cause some real problems. I did some more research on it and I actually came across cases where hackers were actually driving around looking for unsecured wireless networks and hacking them. They gained access to people's information on their computer like credit card information and all kinds of crazy stuff. Although most likely there aren't people driving around your neighborhood trying to hack you computer through your wireless network there still are plenty of threats out there.

Wireless routers are pretty powerful these days and have pretty big wireless ranges. There could be someone not even in your neighborhood that is using your wireless network if unsecured. Personally I have wireless internet in my house, but it is secured. When I turned on my computer and was about to access my wireless internet I was surprised at the number of wireless networks in my neighborhood that were unsecured. I'm pretty sure that a lot of the people who owned these networks were unaware that they're networks were unsecured and could be accessed. The easiest way to protect your computer if you have wireless internet is to encrypt and create a password for your wireless network.

Encrypting it will block other people from being able to view your information. Setting a password for your wireless network will prevent people from being able to access your wireless network. Always make sure you have a firewall and other computer protection software. You can look on the internet to find out how to set up a password for your wireless router. Most likely the company that you bought your router from will have a manual on their website that will tell you how to make the wireless router password enabled.